Recently, I read a new book, Leadership Solutions, by David Weiss, Vince Molinaro and Liane Davey. Leadership solutions is a follow up to their book The Leadership Gap. In this book, the authors suggest that the leadership gap is as big, if not bigger, than ever and offer advice on how to close it.
Their idea on closing the gap is based on the concept of Holistic Leadership. I like the ideas behind holistic leadership – if for no other reason, they are similar to what I present in my book 4 Secrets of High Performing Organizations. According to the authors, Holistic Leadership has six elements:
- Customer Leadership
- Business Strategy Leadership
- Culture and Values Leadership
- Organizational Leadership
- Team Leadership
- Personal Leadership
They also suggest that leaders must have well developed skills in five areas:
- Sensing
- Creating
- Implementing
- Connecting
- Advocating
In Chapter 5, they present a “30 Cell Grid of Holistic Leadership Behaviors: The Individual Dimension.” This is a great concept tied to an unfortunate name. Basically, the authors created a matrix with the five leadership skills on one axis and the six leadership elements on the other. Each cell describes an important leadership practice.
For example, the cell at the intersection of “Creating” and “Culture and Values Leadership” says, “Describes the way of doing things that will engage employees and align them with the strategic objectives of the organization.” An effective leader – one who closes the gap – will be proficient in the activities described in each of the 30 cells.
In Chapter 6, they present a similar matrix focused on organizational practices. The cell at the intersection of “Creating” and “Culture and Values” says this. “Leaders articulate a desired culture and values that will support the business.”
In Chapter 7, they present a similar matrix focused on the leadership culture of an organization. The cell at the intersection of “Creating” and “Culture and Values” says this. “Leaders understand that culture can be a competitive advantage.”
But they’re not done yet. The appendix presents three gap analysis questionnaires that can help you assess how well you’re doing on each of the matrices.
Running a business is complex. Too many books try to oversimplify this complexity. That’s why I am always on the lookout for books and articles that embrace the complexity of modern organizational life and bring order to seemingly disparate information. Leadership Solutions does an excellent job of this. The matrices provide clear snapshots of what needs to be done in a variety of areas. The gap analyses provide the reader with a clear idea of where he or she is being successful and where he or she needs to improve.
Leadership Solutions is a good book to keep near your desk where you can refer to it often. It’s a great analytical too.
That’s it for today. Thanks for reading. Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense. Check out my other blog: www.SuccessCommonSense.com for common sense advice on becoming the career and life success you are meant to be and to get a copy of my new ebook Star Power: Common Sense Ideas for Career and Life Success.
I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.
Bud
PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open. Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.
wow. Thanks a lot for this useful post. Leadership qualities always work. :)
Posted by: Agenda Software | November 05, 2011 at 01:36 AM